Gloucestershire Sport

Forest Green had no fans arrested in 2011/12 season according to Home Office statistics

THE New Lawn is not only the most eco-friendly ground in Britain but also one of the safest places to watch football.

According to Home Office statistics on football-related arrests and banning orders in the 2011/12 season, Forest Green Rovers is one of only 12 clubs out of 116 from the Premiership to the Conference National that had no fans arrested either home or away last season.

The Blue Square Premier outfit are also one of only a handful of clubs without long-term banning orders imposed on any of their fans preventing them from attending football matches.

When these two measures are taken together, there are only five out of 116 clubs without fan arrests or long-term banning orders – Burton Albion, Braintree, Ebbsfleet and Gateshead are the others.

Forest Green chairman Dale Vince said: “Our supporters are a credit to the club and the team.

“We’ve had some big clubs visit Forest Green this season – Manchester United, Cardiff City, Swindon and Port Vale – and all have commented not only on the quality of football we play but on the warm welcome they have received from our supporters.

“It’s not just the club that is doing things another way, our supporters have also made The New Lawn one of the most enjoyable places to watch football in Britain.

“Now we want to encourage more families, children, wives and girlfriends to come and enjoy The New Lawn experience.”

Overall, the news is positive across the world of football – from the Premiership to the Conference – with arrests down 24 per cent last season compared to 2010/11.